North Dakota State (23-6, 12-2 Summit) used an 11-3 run, including a 3-pointer by Wright, to build a 27-22 halftime advantage.

A 3-point play by Wright, on a dunk and foul by Marcus Byrd, stretched the Bison lead to 10 with 10:41 left. Brett Olson's 3-pointer for Denver cut it six with 7:02 left, but NDSU responded with a jumper by Braun and a pair of free throws by Brown, and was able to keep Denver at arm's length down the stretch.